Environnement S.A developed in collaboration with laboratories of the CNRS (LPC2E, LA, LSCE), the National Research Agency (ANR) and the National Center Space Studies (CNES) a patented* particle counter/sizer, designed to be mounted on the various kinds of tropospheric and stratospheric balloons.

The very accurate in-situ particle measurement allowed by our LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter) will enhance the particle measurement with precious information about the density, concentration, size of particles and, will inform for the first time about the nature and composition of the volcanic ash. This precise information will facilitate authority's safety decisions concerning the necessity and duration of the air space closures.

The main difference with already existing aerosol optical counters is the principle of the double geometry of observation that allows measuring the aerosol particle concentrations in several size classes within a diameter range of typically 0.3-20 mmThe measurements will be conducted at 2 scattering angles and the ratio of this double measurement is used to determine the main nature of the aerosols in the different size classes.  

*Patent number 2938649 published on May the 21st 2010